Briefs

Boeing's (BA) successor to the popular 737 jet may become a bargaining chip in a dispute that pits the aerospace giant against the National Labor Relations Board. In a hearing before a federal administrative law judge, the NLRB alleged that the company's 2009 decision to build a non-union plant in South Carolina was an act of retaliation against the Machinists union for prior strikes. It may be months before the case is decided—and likely years if the initial ruling is appealed. To reach a settlement, which must satisfy the labor board and judge, the Machinists want Boeing to commit to manufacturing its new jet in the Puget Sound area.

A bill in Congress would allow companies such as Facebook and Twitter to put off IPOs, even after acquiring 500 investors. Currently, that's the magic number triggering financial reporting requirements that often lead companies to go public. The legislation would increase the ceiling to 1,000 investors and exclude employees and some wealthy shareholders from the total. Companies would be able to remain private while gaining access to more capital. Critics say the change would lock out ordinary investors.